Surrogacy Tourism in Mexico: Pros and Cons

Surrogacy is a form of assisted reproductive technology where a third party woman referred to as the surrogate, agrees to get pregnant and deliver a baby for a couple or an individual that is referred to as the intended parents or parent. Surrogacy is a complex medical procedure that involves a lot of planning, time and financial investments. When considering surrogacy tourism in Mexico, it is best to look at the pros and cons. 

The two generally recognized forms of surrogacy are the traditional and the gestational surrogacy. Gestational surrogacy involves the creation of an embryo from the sperm and the egg obtained from the intended parents or donors. In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate gets pregnant using her own eggs via an artificial insemination or intrauterine sperm injection. 

The main difference between the two forms of surrogacy is the biological or genetic link between the surrogate and the baby found in traditional surrogacy, which is absent in gestational surrogacy. Traditional surrogacy, because of the genetic link, can also create legal complications in the instance that the surrogate changes her mind after delivery about giving up the child.

The Pros and Cons of Surrogacy in Mexico

The main advantage of surrogacy in Mexico is the fact that it is quite cheaper than in the neighbouring United States. However, some minimal laws and regulations can protect the rights and interests of both the intended parents and the surrogate. Also, there are potential drawbacks to surrogacy in Mexico. There may be limited availability of certain medical procedures that may be readily accessible in the United States. There may be additional challenges to the intended parents in the form of customs and logistics. 

Another main issue that may be faced by international intended parents that may make them hesitant to pursue their surrogacy in Mexico is the issue of lack of adequate security and safety. Apart from all these, surrogacy is a popular choice for intended parents as it is even more affordable than other options. Mexico even has recognition of the right of same-sex families to pursue surrogacy, a fact that cannot be said is the same in many other countries. Hence, same-sex partners can form families with kids that have a genetic or biological relationship with them.

What is the cost of surrogacy in Mexico?

The cost will be based on the individual circumstance of the surrogacy, the intended parents’ preference and the additional services that will be required in the surrogacy procedure. The average range that the surrogacy treatment may cost in Mexico ranges from 50k-80k dollars. Cost is a crucial point to consider in surrogacy tourism in Mexico when looking at the pros and cons. In the case of international intended parents who contract fertility agencies to handle the entire process for them, the cost or the charge will be determined by the following:

• The number of additional services that the surrogacy process will require, for example, sperm or egg donation, PGD testing, embryo transportation or storage, or both.
• The quality of the service
• The experience of the agency and staff
• The additional care packages that are offered to the intended parents like logistics and transportation through the country, accommodation, etc.
• Surrogate mother’s expenses
• Agency fees

Choosing a surrogate

While this is usually handled by the agency, in the case that they are contracted for it, the intended parents must have some criteria that they have when choosing the appropriate candidate. Some of the qualities that they must have include:

• The surrogate must have had at least one successful pregnancy beforehand.
• She must be between the ages of 25-39
• She must not have any chronic illnesses or current diseases.
• She must not be an alcoholic
• She must not be a smoker.
• She must not use recreational drugs or be an addict.

The surrogate must also be physically appealing to the intended parents, and they should connect on a psychological and emotional basis. She would usually undergo screenings before being selected and before the commencement of the surrogacy process. The surrogate must also have an independent legal advisor so that she can understand her rights and responsibilities in the entire surrogacy process. The surrogate’s well-being and care for the duration of the pregnancy are also handled by the fertility agency, including antenatal care.

Choosing the right agency

Surrogacy in Mexico is usually done in the states of Tabasco and Sinaloa. This is because while surrogacy is legal in Mexico, there is a lack of defined guidelines and regulations for the treatment. In certain states, regulations may exist to manage civil matters and health issues that may arise. However, there is a lack of regulation on the proper use of assisted reproductive technology in the country. This can create potential problems for the inexperienced intended parents involved in the surrogacy process. This is the main reason why it is necessary to look for experienced agencies that can handle the process for a fee. The costs or fees charged by the agency may include but not be limited to the following:

• The surrogate’s screening
• The compensation for the surrogate, including housing
• The sperm deposit and the freezing costs
• Embryo transfer costs and the medication required
• Implantation of the embryos
• Pregnancy monitoring
• Medical expenses and costs for the duration of the pregnancy
• Delivery (natural or CS)

The intended parents, before selecting an agency, should ensure that the agency will provide the needed support to both the intended parents and the surrogate, as it is crucial in the surrogacy process. The agency will not only ensure that the process will abide by the available rules and regulations, they will also ensure that the process will go seamlessly. They will also ensure that vital services like counselling by professionals, screening by medical personnel, and legal advice from experienced legal representatives will be provided for both the surrogates and the intended parents.

The agency should also have a consultation process where the entire surrogacy journey is explained. This is for the intended parents to understand the risks, the benefits and the intended results in the end. The intended parents should also feel very comfortable with the agency. They should get the impression from their behaviour that they will protect their interests and the well-being of the baby and the surrogate.